A high efficiency configuration for a string of solar cells comprises series-connected solar cells arranged in an overlapping shingle pattern. Front and back surface metallization patterns may provide further increases in efficiency.

A high efficiency configuration for a string of solar cells comprises series-connected solar cells arranged in an overlapping shingle pattern. Front and back surface metallization patterns may provide further increases in efficiency.

A photovoltaic solar structure comprises at least two electrically connected solar cell regions forming a shade management block. The solar cell regions have a light receiving frontside and a passivated backside opposite the light receiving frontside and a first metallization over the passivated backside has base and emitter metallization contacting base and emitter regions of the solar cell regions. An electrically insulating backplane is over the backsides of the two solar cells regions. The electrically insulating backplane covers the first metallization of the two solar cell regions. A second metallization is over the electrically insulating backplane and contacts the first metallization through the electrically insulating backplane. The second metallization has at least an opposite polarity electrical connection electrically connecting the solar cell regions of the shade management block. The opposite polarity connection has positive and negative electrical polarities. The opposite polarity electrical connection is connected to a bypass diode.

A photovoltaic solar structure comprises at least two electrically connected solar cell regions forming a shade management block. The solar cell regions have a light receiving frontside and a passivated backside opposite the light receiving frontside and a first metallization over the passivated backside has base and emitter metallization contacting base and emitter regions of the solar cell regions. An electrically insulating backplane is over the backsides of the two solar cells regions. The electrically insulating backplane covers the first metallization of the two solar cell regions. A second metallization is over the electrically insulating backplane and contacts the first metallization through the electrically insulating backplane. The second metallization has at least an opposite polarity electrical connection electrically connecting the solar cell regions of the shade management block. The opposite polarity connection has positive and negative electrical polarities. The opposite polarity electrical connection is connected to a bypass diode.

A back contact solar cell assembly and methods for its manufacture and assembly onto a panel for use in space vehicles are described. The solar cell assembly includes a compound semiconductor multijunction solar cell having a contact at the top surface of the solar cell, a conductive semiconductor element extending from the contact on the top surface to the back surface of the assembly where it forms a first back contact of a first polarity type, and a second back contact of a second polarity at the back surface of the assembly electrically coupled to the back surface of the solar cell.

A solar module having at least two substring groups, each including an upper substring having solar cells connected in series and arranged in a matrix having two adjacent columns and a plurality of rows, and a lower substring having solar cells connected in series and arranged in a matrix having two adjacent columns and a plurality of rows. The lower and upper substrings include the same number of solar cells. A cross-connector interconnects the lower and upper substrings electrically in parallel forming the substring group. A bypass diode is arranged electrically in the cross-connector, and cross-connectors of each substring group are interconnected electrically in series. Two columns of the lower substring include a different number of solar cells and two columns of the upper substring include a different number of solar cells, such that the number of solar cells of the upper substring and of the lower substring is odd.

A solar module having at least two substring groups, each including an upper substring having solar cells connected in series and arranged in a matrix having two adjacent columns and a plurality of rows, and a lower substring having solar cells connected in series and arranged in a matrix having two adjacent columns and a plurality of rows. The lower and upper substrings include the same number of solar cells. A cross-connector interconnects the lower and upper substrings electrically in parallel forming the substring group. A bypass diode is arranged electrically in the cross-connector, and cross-connectors of each substring group are interconnected electrically in series. Two columns of the lower substring include a different number of solar cells and two columns of the upper substring include a different number of solar cells, such that the number of solar cells of the upper substring and of the lower substring is odd.

A photovoltaic assembly includes a cell unit layer, a backplate and a reflective layer. The backplate is provided on a back side of the cell unit layer, and one side of the backplate away from the cell unit layer is provided with at least one junction box. The reflective layer is disposed between the cell unit layer and the backplate. The reflective layer includes a plurality of reflective longitudinal strips. Each of the plurality of reflective longitudinal strips covers edges of cell chips within at least one cell string. At least one of the plurality of reflective longitudinal strips is broken at a location adjacent to a cell chip covered by the junction box so as to form at least one opening.

A connection assembly for a photovoltaic module includes at least one cell assembly which is externally contactable to at least two contacts. The connection assembly includes at least one bypass diode, which is arranged externally of the at least one cell assembly and connected in parallel to the at least one cell assembly. The connection assembly is characterized in that the connection assembly has at least one plug receptacle into which the bypass diode can be plugged in with plug contacts. A photovoltaic module with such a connection assembly is also provided.

A connection assembly for a photovoltaic module includes at least one cell assembly which is externally contactable to at least two contacts. The connection assembly includes at least one bypass diode, which is arranged externally of the at least one cell assembly and connected in parallel to the at least one cell assembly. The connection assembly is characterized in that the connection assembly has at least one plug receptacle into which the bypass diode can be plugged in with plug contacts. A photovoltaic module with such a connection assembly is also provided.